Tonight is the big night when the Vancouver Park Board will decide whether to eliminate a COVID-era reservation system at Kits Pool.
The situation at Kits Pool has been an ongoing saga.
Initially, the issue was whether the pool would open at all. Once the pool opened, many poolgoers turned their attention — and in some cases, their ire—to the reservation system.
Up until now, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has remained relatively quiet on the issue; however, earlier this afternoon, he issued a post on X, making his stance on the situation clear.
“Kits Pool should be open and accessible to everyone, all the time — no complicated booking system, no barriers,” his post began.
The Vancouver mayor stated that while the reservation system may have been necessary during the pandemic, it is no longer required, adding that Kits Pool should revert to drop-in access for all.
A controversial Kits Pool motion, regardless of the result
Kitsilano Pool refilled on July 28, 2024, following interim repairs. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)
After weeks of vocal opposition to the reservation system, there was finally a small glimmer of hope for those who are opposed to it.
On Thursday, we learned that a Park Board motion had been tabled directing staff to eliminate the current reservation system. That motion came from ABC Park Board Commissioner Marie-Claire Howard.
Throughout this process, an ongoing debate has been unfolding on social media, with individuals on both sides expressing their preferences. Laura Christensen, the independent Park Board commissioner and chair, used Reddit to suggest that the system had lots of support.
Top comments from Reddit – over 250 people who support the reservation system 1/3🧵 https://t.co/ba23yGFRhe
X is a small, loud group, but does not necessarily reflect public opinion on a whole. The job of Commissioner is to consider the needs of the entire City. #vanpoli pic.twitter.com/eKsmJstlVa
— Laura Christensen (@l_christe) July 17, 2025
As you can imagine, her post on X also received tons of reactions.
Sim’s post on X, in which he threw his support behind eliminating the reservation system, gave kudos to Jody Vance and George Affleck for their advocacy, two individuals who have probably been the loudest on the issue.
“Please support Commissioner Howard’s urgent motion to eliminate the current advance booking system at Kits Pool,” a portion of Sim’s statement reads.
Kits Pool should be open and accessible to everyone, all the time – no complicated booking system, no barriers.
What made sense during the pandemic doesn’t anymore. It’s time to bring back easy, drop-in access for all.
I have sent a letter to all Park Board commissioners… pic.twitter.com/gdPX2IvyQf
— Mayor Ken Sim (@KenSimCity) July 21, 2025
Her post and other posts about Kits Pool have revealed that there is clear support on both sides.
Tonight’s Vancouver Park Board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., and we won’t have to wait too much longer to find out what the future holds for Kits Pool.